Character guide

Ambrosio

major

Also known as reverend Ambrosio, Blair Ambrosio, Worthy Ambrosio, Good Ambrosio

A revered monk in Madrid, whose piety masks a dangerous pride and hidden desires.

Antonia

major

Also known as the lovely Antonia, Antonia Dalfa, Donna Antonia

A beautiful and innocent young woman, pursued by Ambrosio.

Matilda

major

Also known as Matilda de Villanegas, Poor Matilda, Rosario

A mysterious woman who enters the monastery disguised as a novice to seduce Ambrosio.

Don Lorenzo

major

Also known as Lorenzo de Medina, Señor Don Lorenzo

A nobleman in love with Antonia, who seeks to rescue her from danger.

Donna Agnes

supporting

Also known as Agnes de Medina, the unfortunate Agnes

A nun imprisoned for breaking her vows, whose tragic fate intertwines with the main plot.

Elvira

supporting

Also known as Donna Elvira Dalfa, the murdered Elvira

Antonia's protective mother, who becomes a victim of Ambrosio's schemes.

Leonella

supporting

Also known as Donna Leonella, Elvira Leonella

Antonia's lively and talkative aunt, who accompanies her in Madrid.

Don Raymond

supporting

Also known as Raymond de las Cisternas

A nobleman whose tragic love story with Agnes is a key subplot.

Theodore

supporting

A young servant loyal to Lorenzo, who aids in the rescue of Antonia.

Marguerite

minor

Also known as the compassionate Marguerite

A kind woman who helps Agnes during her imprisonment.

Virginia

minor

Also known as Virginia de Villa-Franca, the lovely Virginia

A beautiful noblewoman who appears in a story within the novel.

Dame Jacintha

minor

Also known as Jacintha, the astonished Jacintha

The housekeeper at the Medina household, who assists in the plot.

Beatrice

minor

Also known as Beatrice de las Cisternas

The ghostly Bleeding Nun, a tormented spirit from the Cisternas family legend.

Lucifer

minor

The devil who appears to claim Ambrosio's soul at the novel's climax.

Don Ramirez de Mello

minor

Also known as Don Ramirez

A judge who investigates the crimes at the monastery.

Marquis de las Cisternas

minor

Also known as the late Marquis de las Cisternas

The deceased patriarch of the Cisternas family, central to the ghost story.

Don Gaston de Medina

minor

Also known as Medina

Father of Lorenzo and Agnes, a nobleman of Madrid.

Don Christoval

minor

A friend of Lorenzo, who accompanies him in his adventures.

Alphonso d'Alvarada

minor

Also known as Don Alphonso

A nobleman who marries into the Medina family.

Otto von Lindenberg

minor

The Baron of Lindenberg, a German nobleman in Raymond's story.

Dame Cunegonda

minor

The housekeeper at the Lindenberg castle.

Sister Helena

minor

A nun at the convent where Agnes is imprisoned.

Jacques

minor

Also known as the ferocious Jacques

A bandit who appears in the Bleeding Nun subplot.

Mother St. Ursula

minor

Also known as St. Ursula

The prioress of the convent, who is cruel to Agnes.

Robert

minor

A servant in the Lindenberg household.

Imogine

minor

Also known as fair Imogine

A character in a ballad recited by Theodore.

Donna Rodolpha

minor

Also known as the revengeful Donna Rodolpha

A vengeful noblewoman in the subplot of the Bleeding Nun.

Claude

minor

Also known as honest Claude

A servant who aids Raymond in his escape.

Baron Lindenberg

minor

Also known as the Baron Lindenberg

The father of Otto, a German nobleman.

Baroness Lindenberg

minor

Also known as the Baroness Lindenberg

The mother of Otto, a German noblewoman.

Madonna Flora

minor

Also known as Flora

A singer who performs at a party in Madrid.

Baptiste

minor

Also known as friend Baptiste

A friend of Raymond who assists him in his travels.

Father Pablos

minor

Also known as Pablos

A monk at the Capuchin monastery.

Mother Camilla

minor

Also known as Camilla

A nun at the convent, who shows some kindness to Agnes.

Duke de Medina

minor

Also known as The Duke of Medina

A nobleman mentioned in the story.

Condé de las Cisternas

minor

Also known as the Condé

An ancestor of Raymond, part of the family history.

Gonzalvo

minor

A character mentioned in a story within the novel.

Belerma

minor

A character from a ballad recited in the novel.

Donna Inesilla

minor

A young woman mentioned in the story.

Conrad

minor

Also known as old Conrad

A servant in the Lindenberg household.

Lucas

minor

A servant who assists in the plot.

Stephano

minor

A servant in the Medina household.

Alonzo

minor

Also known as Alonzo the brave

A character from a ballad recited in the novel.

Simon Gonzalez

minor

Also known as old Simon Gonzalez

A servant in the Lindenberg household.

Violante

minor

A character mentioned in the story.

Alix

minor

A servant in the Lindenberg household.